Niagara Falls Nature Club Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Fifty years ago the City of Niagara Falls was considering a suitable project to celebrate Canada’s centennial. Some councillors suggested acquiring a forested property on the edge of the Niagara escarpment, but others were against it. A different, unmemorable project was undertaken. Years later, that land was purchased at many times the original price, and is now known as Woodend Conservation Area.

A letter in the local paper protesting council’s decision convinced a number of residents that a group of like-minded individuals was needed who knew and loved nature, and would advocate on behalf of its preservation.

In November 1966 the Niagara Falls Nature Club (NFNC) was formed.

This November, as our country approaches its sesquicentennial, the NFNC celebrated its 50th anniversary. We enjoyed a celebratory cake and an excellent presentation on East Andes Ecuador by Owen Bjorgan.

The nature club is a forum for members to share their love of nature and to endeavor to save some of Niagara’s wonderful natural areas from destruction. The preservation of Niagara’s remaining natural heritage is a cause close to our hearts.

Members of the Niagara Falls Nature club have enjoyed our involvement with citizen science. We have assisted the NPCA, the City of Niagara Falls, Niagara Parks, Bird Studies Canada and other agencies with projects such as the Natural Areas Inventory, the Envirothon, the City of Niagara Falls Woodland Management Plan, monarch education, and Christmas bird counts.

Many members are involved with projects such as bird banding and marsh monitoring.

During the winter months we have meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. at the Niagara Falls library. We learn a great deal from presentations that cover a wide variety of natural history topics and enjoy snacks and each other’s company.

Approximately once a month we meet outdoors to explore a new place or to enjoy a day of birding.

All winter we look forward to the upcoming spring and our Wednesday evening nature walks which run from the end of April to September. The walks take place at a different Niagara natural area each week.

All of our meetings and outings are open to the public and we always welcome guests.